I'm a single mom of three, and my Cleco electricity bills have become overwhelming. They're almost equivalent to half of a mortgage payment, and I'm not alone in this struggle. Many of us are barely managing to keep up with Cleco's ever-increasing fees and fuel charges.

In fact, recent calculations have shown it might actually be more cost-effective to power our homes with a generator using fuel directly purchased by ourselves than to continue paying Cleco's rates. This situation is not only unacceptable, and it feels exploitative.

The core of our issue lies with the Louisiana Public Service Commission (LPSC), the body responsible for regulating utilities like Cleco in Louisiana. As elected officials, they have a duty to safeguard the interests of the residents, yet many feel this responsibility has slipped through their grasp when it comes to Cleco’s pricing strategy.

Cleco's rate increases have led to widespread financial distress in our community. With every "fuel charge" and fee escalation, families are increasingly stretched thin. For many hardworking Louisiana families, including myself, maintaining basic electricity service has moved from being a manageable expense to a significant financial burden.

We demand that the LPSC more rigorously scrutinize Cleco's pricing structures. Are these charges justified? How much of what we're paying is actually necessary for service provision as opposed to corporate profit? Investigating these questions thoroughly could lead to revelations that might change the current pricing trends.

Ensuring electricity remains affordable is not merely a point of convenience but a necessity for quality of life. High electricity costs impact everyone, from parents striving to keep lights on for their children's evening studies to small businesses attempting to stay afloat. As constituents, we possess the power to urge the LPSC to act. Our voices need to be heard, and our concerns taken seriously.

By signing this petition, you're joining a movement to hold Cleco accountable and pressuring the Louisiana Public Service Commission to reevaluate and potentially revise their oversight of Cleco's rates. Let's remind them that they work for us, and we demand a fair and just solution to the rising electricity costs that are crippling our community. Please sign this petition to help bring affordable electricity back to Louisiana.